First Filipino borough councilor elected in UK

MANILA, Philippines – British-Filipina Cynthia Barker was elected as councilor of the borough of Hertsmere and councilor of the town of Elstree and Borehamwood in the recently held general elections in the United Kingdom Thursday, May 7.

As councilor, Barker will oversee the administration of Hertsmere, a local government unit in Hertfordshire, southern England, and one of Hertsmere’s local towns, Elstree and Borehamwood.

This marks the first time any Filipino was elected to this level of office in the UK, a feat met with delight from her kababayans.

Gene Alcantara, an immigration adviser based in London, said Barker’s victory is “a very encouraging wake-up call to the Filipino community in the UK” as it shows how Filipinos are empowered and represented in the British community.

Prior to Barker’s victory, the highest position a Filipino held in local government was town councilor. Previous campaigns for higher offices, including 3 candidacies for Parliament, were unsuccessful. Alcantara ran for Parliament in 2005 and 2010.

The recently concluded UK elections saw David Cameron returning as Prime Minister after the Conservative Party he leads won a majority of seats in Parliament, securing 326 of 643 seats.

In the making

In an interview with The Filipino Expat, Barker recalled how she arrived in the UK to join her mother, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

“[My mother] made the same sacrifice that most OFWs make, sent all her money home while she worked long hours to ensure that the family was well-fed and educated,” Barker said.

Since then, Barker has immersed herself in British society through studying and exploring the city. She admitted that she has “gotten used to Western ways and got accustomed to the British way of life.”

But despite this, Barker has not forgotten the Filipino values her parents instilled. According to Barker, her Filipino values are what made it possible for her to adapt to British society.

Barker boasts an impressive list of political involvement and community engagement, which Alcantara attests to. In her local town of Elstree and Borehamwood, Barker is involved in the residents’ association, local church, primary school and Rotary Club.

“I have always been curious about everything that happens in our local town,” Barker pointed out.

Barker said she has always found politics important. A Conservative, Barker admired the way the party ran policy in her local town and got involved with their political campaigns even before becoming a full member.

Filipino involvement

Barker called on her fellow Filipinos in the UK to become more involved in British politics and community building.

“I hope that Filipinos will be encouraged and take an active part in the community and the whole of the country,” Barker said.

According to Alcantara, more political involvement from Filipinos is expected following Barker’s victory.

“The vital point about it is that British-Filipinos are participating in the political process,” Alcantara added.

He ultimately hopes for a Filipino to be elected as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, which he believes “will give [Filipinos] a voice in national politics.”

However, Alcantara is also wary of the challenge posed by apathy among Filipino voters in the UK. He hopes Barker’s victory will better encourage Filipinos to vote not just in the UK, but also in the 2016 Philippine national elections.

Barker remarked that Filipinos are recognized by the British and as a significant sector in the UK. “The British are open and they embrace us.”

This is in stark contrast to the disposition of British Filipinos in the 1980s when they were fairly new migrants. Alcantara added that from being a “hidden community,” Filipinos in the UK have gained significant visibility and representation over the years. – Rappler.com

Miguel Sevidal is a Rappler intern.